Travel stool for children

ABSTRACT

A collapsible stool for use by children for at least one of reaching a urinal, a toilet bowl, a sink and as a seat comprising a pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members for standing and setting on. Each generally rectangular and substantially flat member having a predetermined length and width and are formed from a predetermined light material capable of supporting a child&#39;s weight of at least about 75 pounds. At least one hinge mechanism engages each one of the generally rectangular and substantially flat members adjacent abutting edges thereof for enabling them to be folded when not in use and unfolded during use. There are a pair of inwardly folding leg members disposed closely adjacent an outer corner of each of the generally rectangular and substantially flat members. Each leg member has a second predetermined length and a predetermined shape.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/942,817 filed Jun. 8, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to accommodations for children in public bathrooms and, more particularly, this invention relates to a travel type stool for children to use in a public bathroom to assist them in reaching at least one of a urinal and a sink.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is generally well known in the prior art, when traveling with small children it is oftentimes necessary to use public restrooms. Depending on the height of the children it is often necessary to hold them up to either use the toilet stool or urinal as well as the sink because they are to short. This can be difficult, particularly, for the elderly to accomplish this task.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a collapsible stool for use by children for at least one of reaching a urinal, a toilet bowl, a sink and as a seat. The collapsible stool at least includes a pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members for at least one of standing and setting thereon. Each of such pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members has each of a first predetermined length and a predetermined width. Additionally, each of the pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members is formed from a predetermined light material that is capable of supporting a child's weight of at least about 75 pounds. There is at least one hinge means engaging each of such pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members adjacent abutting edges thereof for enabling the pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members to be folded when not in use and unfolded during use. The final essential element of the collapsible stool of the instant invention is a pair of inwardly folding leg members disposed closely adjacent an outer corner of each of such pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members. Each one of such leg members having a second predetermined length and a predetermined shape.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a travel stool for children which can be folded into a relatively small stool for storage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a travel stool for children which can be manufactured from relatively light weight materials.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a travel stool for children which can be used to either stand on or sit on.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a travel stool for children which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a travel stool for children that can support a child weighing at least about 75 pounds.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a presently preferred embodiment of a travel stool for children showing the travel stool in an open position ready for use;

FIG. 2 is side elevation view of the travel stool for children illustrated in FIG. 1 in a partially closed position; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the travel stool for children illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a closed position being inserted into a travel bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing Figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-3. Illustrated therein is a presently preferred embodiment of a collapsible travel stool, generally designated 10, for use by children for at least one of reaching a urinal, a toilet bowl, a sink, particularly, in a public restroom and as a seat.

The collapsible travel stool 10 a pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members 12 for at least one of standing and setting on. Preferably, such collapsible travel stool further includes a cover member 14 when the travel stool 10 is to be used as a seat. Each of such pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members 12 have each of a first predetermined length and a predetermined width. Additionally, Each of such pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members 12 are formed from a predetermined light weight material capable of supporting a child's weight of at least about 75 pounds.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, each of such pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members 12 include side wall members 16 which depend downwardly therefrom when the travel stool 10 is being used either as a stool or a seat. Additionally, in the presently preferred embodiment such first predetermined length of each of the pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members 12 is between about 7.0 inches and about 9.0 inches. Preferably, the first predetermined length is about 7.0 inches.

Further, in this embodiment of the invention the predetermined width of each of such pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members 12 is between about 9.0 inches and about 12.0 inches. Preferably, such predetermined width is about 9.0 inches. It is also presently preferred that such predetermined light weight material that the pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members 12 are formed from is a mesh type material which is selected from the group consisting of plastic and metal.

In one alternative embodiment of the invention such first predetermined length and such predetermined width of each of the pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members 12 are substantially identical.

There is at least one hinge means, generally designated 20, which engages each of the pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members 12 adjacent abutting edges 18 and 22 thereof for enabling such pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members 12 to be folded when not in use and unfolded during use.

Such hinge means 20 may be in the form of a plurality of hinge means 20 or as a continuous type hinge.

A pair of inwardly folding leg members 24 are disposed closely adjacent an outer corner of each of such pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members 12. Each of the leg members 24 have a second predetermined length, preferably about 7.0 inches long, and a predetermined shape selected from the group consisting of generally round and generally square.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the collapsible travel stool 10 for children it will further include an elastomeric sleeve member 26 disposed on a bottom of each of such inwardly folding leg members 24 to substantially minimize the travel stool 10 from slipping on at least one of a wet and sloping surface. Preferably, such elastomeric sleeve member 26 is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber and a combination thereof. Additionally, each of the pair of inwardly folding leg members 24 will include a reinforcing member 28 disposed there between to assist in stabilizing the travel stool 10 during such use.

Finally, the collapsible travel stool 10 for children further includes a travel bag 30, having a handle 32 attached thereto, for carrying such collapsible travel stool 10 therein.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A collapsible stool for use by children for at least one of reaching a urinal, a toilet bowl, a sink and as a seat, said collapsible stool comprising: (a) a pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members for at least one of standing and setting on, each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members having each of a first predetermined length and a predetermined width, each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members being formed from a predetermined light weight material capable of supporting a child's weight of at least about 75 pounds; (b) at least one hinge means engaging each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members adjacent abutting edges thereof for enabling said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members to be folded when not in use and unfolded during use; (c) a pair of inwardly folding leg members disposed closely adjacent an outer corner of each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members, each of said leg members having a second predetermined length and a predetermined shape.
 2. A collapsible travel stool for children, according to claim 1, wherein said travel stool further includes an elastomeric sleeve member disposed on a bottom of each of said inwardly folding leg members to substantially minimize said travel stool from slipping on at least one of a wet and sloping surface.
 3. A collapsible travel stool for children, according to claim 2, wherein said elastomeric sleeve member is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber and a combination thereof.
 4. A collapsible travel stool for children, according to claim 3, wherein each said pair of inwardly folding leg members includes a reinforcing member disposed there between to assist in stabilizing said travel stool during such use.
 5. A collapsible travel stool for children, according to claim 1, wherein each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members include side wall members depending downwardly therefrom when said travel stool is being used.
 6. A collapsible travel stool for children, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined length of each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members is between about 7.0 inches to about 9.0 inches.
 7. A collapsible travel stool for children, according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined width of each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members is between about 9.0 inches and about 12.0 inches.
 8. A collapsible travel stool for children, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined length and said predetermined width of each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members are substantially identical.
 9. A collapsible travel stool for children, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined light weight material said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members are formed from is a mesh type material.
 10. A collapsible travel stool for children, according to claim 9, wherein said mesh type material is selected from the group consisting of plastic and metal.
 11. A collapsible travel stool for children, according to claim 1, wherein said collapsible stool member includes a plurality of hinge means.
 12. A collapsible travel stool for children, according to claim 1, wherein said hinge means is a continuous hinge type hinge.
 13. A collapsible travel stool for children, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined shape of said leg members is selected from the group consisting of generally round and generally square.
 14. A collapsible travel stool for children, according to claim 1, wherein said collapsible travel stool for children further includes a travel bag for carrying said travel stool therein.
 15. A collapsible travel stool for children, according to claim 14, wherein said travel bag includes at least on handle attached thereto.
 16. A collapsible travel stool for children, according to claim 1, wherein said collapsible travel stool further includes a cover member when said travel stool is to be used as a seat. 